First time serious over clock e8400

[ajhtiredwolf]

So I have done some small over clocking ( changings the fsb in the bios) but nothing drastic. i am using the Gigabyte ga-g31m-s2l Motherboard, the e8400 wolfdale intel processor, G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500), and my psu i believe is the XCLIO GREATPOWER X14S8P4 850W ATX12V / EPS12V. Right now I have the cpu frequency set to 400x9, which clocks it at 3.60ghz. The memory frequence ( which is on auto) is set to 800 960 respectively. Everything is set on auto. Temperature wise, it stays very cool, I have a after market fan on it, and a very cool case ( also an xclio) so I would like to push it allot farther. I have never done any voltage changing or anything like that, if i push it past 400x9 then it locks up, or windows will not boot. The memory from what i understand should be able to be clocked higher, but clocking that any higher causes it to crash as well. So anyway, if you could help me that would be awesome.

[Lsdmeasap]

I am not so sure if G31 will even hit 400 FSB or above and be stable, this is a very limited chipset on a even more limited board. I think if you want to go much higher you need a much better board such as P35 or P45

If you want though, I can give you a set of settings to try for 425 or 450 FSB, but I really have to say again your board will be the limit here not anything else.

Can you please post a link to your memory or the model #

[ajhtiredwolf]

it seems to be running fine at 400, as in no crashes or anything. Here is my memory Newegg.com - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Desktop Memory

[ajhtiredwolf]

Woops, I think I was wrong about the PSU. I think THIS is the PSU I have Newegg.com - Recertified: OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI-B 700W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply

[Bigwill68]

@
ajhtiredwolf

If You wanna stay with Gigabyte get this board

Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

But This Board Holds the Record for Overclocking the E8400

BIOSTAR :: News

Newegg.com - BIOSTAR TPower I45 LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

You got good Memory but a bad Platform to oc with I have the E8400 myself had it on my Biostar I45 and it done real well,But you need to change boards,What cooler you using? and the Batch# on your cpu? also I would jump up on a PSU also if your planning on gaming as well using a Radeon HD card..

Few good psu below

Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!

[ajhtiredwolf]

I appreciate the advise will but i'm just wanting to see what I can get out of the current system, this is a pretty good PSU isn't it? When I buy a new motherboard I will be buying a new processor and ram, upgrading to ddr3. So for now I just want to see what I can get out of the system I have ;).

[Lsdmeasap]

Thanks for the link, please give me your full current settings and what FSB you want to try out and I will advise back.

This is Just a template I use to ask people their settings, pay no attention to the numbers in it, replace with yours

CPU = Model #
Motherboard = Model, Revision #
BIOS Version =
Ram = Brand, Model#, Part#, And or Link

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [8] 
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[0.5]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [450] 
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [100]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [2.00]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________ 
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ 
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 
Write to Precharge Delay_________ 
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ 
Read to Precharge Delay__________
Static tRead Value_______________
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ [Auto]


System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.300V] 
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [+0.1V] 
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.1V] 
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.1V] 
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.25]

Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect___________________[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

Not sure about the PSU as I have never used that brand. But the wattage should be good, concerns me about re-certified though... Keep in mind your PSU is the single most important thing in your system, so don't go cheap on it or you will regret it later on.

[ajhtiredwolf]

No worries, the one that i got wasn't recertified. It was one of the highest rated when I bought it. I think that it probably just got replaced by a newer model. Anyway.
Gigabyte ga-g31m-s2l Rev 1.0
Bios Version 2.4

CPU e8400, model#not sure

memory: Newegg.com - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Desktop Memory

Robust Graphics Booster_____auto______ []
CPU Clock Ratio __9 X__________ []
Fine Clock Ratio _____+0.0_______[]
CPU Host Clock Control [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)_____400_____ []
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)____auto___ []
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [2.00]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [auto]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time__________5 auto______
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay____5 auto_____
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay___5 auto____
Precharge Delay (tRAS)_____15 auto_____

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)____3 auto_____
Rank Write to READ Delay_____3 auuto___
Write to Precharge Delay____6 auto_____
Refresh to ACT Delay_______52 auto_______
Read to Precharge Delay_____3 auto_____
Static tRead Value________7 Auto_______
Static tRead Phase Adjust_____29___ [Auto]


System Voltage Control____ [auto]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [normal]
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [normal]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [normal]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [0.636]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [normall]
normal CPU vcore 1.22500V


Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [enabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [x] not listed
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [x] not listed
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [enabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [enabled] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect______Enabled_____________[] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from US

[Lsdmeasap]

What BIOS, please check on the MAIN Page of the BIOS press F9 or look in everest (Motherboard section) or CPU-z Mainboard tab. 2.4 is not it, it will be Fxx Like F10 for example

.6 MCH, that is not an option is it? Does not sound right at all. Should be +0.1-0.3, ect not .636 ect.

What speed are you wanting to try 425 or 450?

[Lsdmeasap]

Please go ahead and update your BIOS using Qflash, here is a guide >>
BIOS Flashing - A "How To ~ Qflash Guide"

And here is your latest BIOS F10f
GIGABYTE - Support&Download - Motherboard - BIOS - GA-G31M-S2L


Please also post a image of easytune open to the voltage tab, since you are using auto for all that we need to see what is set right now. CPU-z image of the main tab also so we can see actual vcore in use